Buffalo Bills - TeamReport

July 13, 2014|Reuters

NFL Team Report - Buffalo Bills - INSIDE SLANT

Although general manager Doug Whaley tried to sound convincing, deep down he knows that the 2014 season is a big one for the Buffalo Bills. "In the NFL, every year is a big year," said Whaley. "Everyone is expecting some big things from us and we're expecting big things."

He's right; every year is a big year for every team, but when you haven't made the playoffs in 14 years, when you made a bold draft-day trade to move up to pick a potential superstar playmaker, and your franchise is about to be sold to a new owner, this is a little bigger of a year for the Bills than any other year. This team needs to win, and it needs to make the postseason. If it doesn't, the new owner - who should be in charge at some point this season - could very well overhaul the organization, and in that scenario, nobody's job is safe.

"Being where we've been as an organization on the field is unacceptable," said team president and CEO Russ Brandon. "It is certainly unacceptable to me. It's all about winning. There is nothing else, absolutely nothing else that matters. We've made changes and we're not going to sit on our hands and not let any sand get under our shoes when it comes to trying to put a winning product on the field. That's what we're all about."

Coming out of minicamp, the Bills feel very good about where they are on defense. A strong and productive defensive line returns intact led by three Pro Bowlers, Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus; the linebacking unit has been upgraded with the additions of Brandon Spikes and Keith Rivers; and the secondary only has to deal with the free-agent departure of free safety Jairus Byrd. After improving in every key category in 2013, this unit should keep the Bills in every game they play.

On offense, things are a little more worrisome, but only because quarterback EJ Manuel remains somewhat of a mystery. The Bills drafted wide receiver Sammy Watkins No. 4 overall, at the cost of next year's first-round draft slot, and he joins a group that includes Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, and veteran newcomer Mike Williams. The running backs are excellent and versatile with home-run hitter C.J. Spiller, the always productive and savvy Fred Jackson, and two solid additions in Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon. Scott Chandler is a reliable, if not spectacular, tight end, and the line should be bolstered by the additions of free-agent left guard Chris Williams and rookie second-round pick Cyrus Kouandjio.

So it comes down to Manuel, and whether he can prove that he is the quarterback of the future.

"I'm optimistic," said Whaley. "I'm eager to see him get out and perform for 16 games, because you started to see the growth in that Cleveland game (in Week 5 last year) and then he got hurt. I think this year is going to be a big leap for him, and for us."

During much of the OTAs and minicamp, Manuel seemed to struggle, but that's because the Bills emptied the playbook for installation, and things weren't always smooth. Once training camp starts, and the Bills begin to pare down what they believe will work best, Manuel should look better.

"He's put in a lot of work, and he has a much, much better understanding and it's exciting," said head coach Doug Marrone. "What you hope to see at training camp and the installation goes in, you hope to see it better the next time around."

If Manuel comes through, this Buffalo team has enough to make it to the playoffs, as this is the deepest roster the Bills have brought to training camp in perhaps a decade.

"We're confident as a football team, and I'm extremely confident in the roster we have, so now it comes down to execution," said center Eric Wood. "We have a solid group from top to bottom, with some depth to withstand a full season which is crucial in this league. I'm excited about our roster."

CAMP CALENDAR

Players report: July 18

First practice: July 20

Aug. 13-14: Joint practices at Steelers camp

--The Bills confirmed linebacker Koko Alonso suffered a torn ACL in his left knee while working out in Oregon and he is expected to miss the entire 2014 season.

Alonso, the runner-up for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, was already recovering from offseason hip surgery before he hurt his knee. He will be scheduled for surgery after the swelling subsides.

"He will be scheduled for surgery in the near future and begin a rehabilitation program at the appropriate time. We feel badly for Kiko because he has worked very hard this offseason in preparation for the upcoming season, but we look forward to his return with his style of play that made him one of the league's outstanding rookies in 2013," Bills general manager Doug Whaley said in a statement.

The loss of Alonso throws a big wrench into the Bills' plans for their linebacker corps.